Cast-metal pile.



Patented July I0, |909.

M. GOLDBEFIGER.

(N0 Model.)

UNrrnn STATES PATENT Erica.

MAURICE GOLDBERGER, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO THE FORT WAYNE SMELTINGAND REFINING VORKS, OF SAME PLACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 653,509, dated .1' uly 10, 1900.

Application filed February 1, 1900. Serial No. 3,562. (No model.)

To all vwhom t may concern..-

Beit known that I, MAURICE GOLDBERGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Wayne, in the'county of Allen, in the State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cast-Metal Piles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accom panying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My present invention relates to improvements in cast-metal piles which are employed as foundation-piles for bridges.

It is Well known that the metal foundationpiles for bridges in common use are provided with a removable cap to which the bridgebeams are bolted or otherwise secured. It is also well known that exceptionally-high freshets or sudden ice gorges in the stream over which such bridges are used will sometimes lift the superstructure with the said beams and caps from the supporting-piles, causing more or less displacement and derangement thereof, even when the `bridge is not carried away, but gradually settles back upon said supporting-piles.

The object, therefore, of my invention is to overcome this defect in the present foundation-piles by providing a detachable cap adapted for an interlocking engagement with said piles when seated thereon by which such displacement is impossible without destruction of one or other of the interlocking parts'.

My invention comprises a detachable interlocking cap having Vertical bolt-openings for the bolts by which the said superimposed beams are securedthereto and is provided upon its lower face with a concentric pendent flange and means for interlocking said cap with its seatupon the top or upper end of said piles.

The novel feature of my improvement resides in the construction whereby the said cap is conveniently detachable and rigidly and securely locked in position when in use.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference-n umerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 is a perspective View of my improvement in position upon a foundation-pile. Fig. 2 is an lenlarged vertical section of the metallic top of the pile broken away in part with the cap with the interlocking key or wedge removed.

Fig. Gis a bottom plan of the metal jacket shown in Fig. 1 with the-cap removed. Fig. 7is a bottom plan of the form of myimproved cap shown in Fig.- 2, showing the opposite radial lugs for securing the same in position. Figs. 8 and 9 are elevation and plan details, respectively, of the said key or wedge shown in Fig. 3. Y

My improved cap l is adapted for use on any proper form of foundation-piles 2, which are generally from ten to sixteen feet in length and of well-understood construction, or it may be employed with equal facility upon a metallic jacket 3 for wooden piles 4.

All forms of piles shown in the drawings have the common form of open hollow cylindrical top 5, which in use is compactly filled with sand to deaden the concussion of the blow of the pile-driver in a well-understood manner.

The metal jacket 3 (shown only in Fig. l) has a longitudinal central opening 6 to fit over the corresponding reduced upper end of the wooden pile 4. This jacket is preferably provided with a plurality of radial flanges 7, as

vseen in Figs. l and 6.

Whether a metal jacket 3 or a metal pile 2 is employed, the hollow cylindrical top 5 is provided upon the inner face of its upper edge with an annular flange 8, having a radial slot 9, Fig. 4. This slot 9 may be duplicated, if desired.

The cap 1 has ahorizontal liange l0, which projects somewhat beyond the perimeter of the said hollow top, upon which it rests, there by materially increasing the area of the upper face of the said cap, which receives the blow of the pile-driver, affording a secure sup- Fig. 3 is asimilar view showing a IOO port for the superstructure and an area for the holes 12, in which the bolts for securing the said beams are arranged.

The cap 1 has upon its lower face a pendent concentric annular fiange 13, of a suiciently less outside diameter than that of the said opening in the said hollow top of the pile to permit it to loosely fit therein, Fig. 2. This flange 13 is provided upon its outer face with a pair of radial lugs 14, Figs. 2 and 7, adapted for a holding engagement with the lower face of the said liange 8 on the open top of the pile 2 when in position for use.

In the modified form of the cap shown in Fig. 3 one of the lugs 14 is omitted, and instead thereof the flange 13 is provided at that point with a lateral slot or opening adapted to receive the inner and lower end of the locking wedge or key l5. This key or wedge has its upper portion preferably rectangular in outline, is adapted to rest upon an inclosed seat 16 and in a reduced opening 17 in said cap, Fig. 5, and has its pendent extended lower end 18 bent outwardly and 'adapted to readily pass into the said slot in the flange 13 for the purpose of forming a holding engagement therewith.

The manner of employing my improvement thus described is obvious and briefly stated is as follows: In the use of the form of cap shown in Fig. 2 when it is desired to place it in position the operator first tilts the cap and then slips one of the said lugs 14 beneath the said annular flange 8 of the open cylindrical top of the pile 2.. He then lowers the cap to its seat by passing the other lug 14 through the said slot 9, after which he rotates the cap approximately about one-fourth of a revolution. The cap is now securely locked in position and when bolted to the said overlying bridge-beam displacement thereof under any amount of upward strain is impossible without breaking the same. Obviously should it be desirable for any purpose to remove the said cap it can readily be done when the said overlying bridge-beam is unbolted therefrom.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 3 the cap can readily be placed in position by first tilting it and then slipping thelug 14 beneath the said flange 8. 15 is then placed in position on its inclined seat 16 and in the opening 17 of the cap, the lower reduced end thereof resting snugly in the said lateral slot in the flange 8. The top of the key or wedge 15 when in position is flush with the upper face of the cap l. Obviously in this modified form of cap the slot 9 in the flange 8 of the pile-top is unnecessary. The key 15 when thus placed in position securely locks the cap with the top of the pile and at the same time can readily be removed, if desired, after which the cap can be conveniently detached.

Having thus described my invention and the manner of employing the same, what I dcsire to secure by Letters Patent is In an opened-top foundation-pile the coinbination of a detachable cap having a pendent flange 13 provided with a suitable lug adapted to form an interlocking engagement with the top of the pile and also provided with a lateral slot adapted tc receive the inner and lower end of a locking-key, 15; and the locking-key 15.

Signed by me at Fort Wayne, Allen county, State of Indiana, this 26th day of January, A. D. 1900.

MAURICE GOLDBERGER.

Witnesses:

ADELAIDE KEARNS, ALICE KEARNS.

The locking key or wedge Y 

